[OVERVIEW]
Toxapex is a unique and highly diverse wall that can utilize its regular ability Regenerator to serve as a far more efficient pivot, scout attacks, and remain healthy without using Recover constantly. This Pokemon can support teams as both a physical and special tank through the use of Latiasite and Gyaradosite, and it is a good fit for a wide variety of builds due to its ability to check a wide range of threats with each of its Mega Stones and spread status with Scald, Toxic, and Toxic Spikes. Latiasite variants check Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Entei, Arceus-Ground, and Golisopod with their fantastic bulk, great defensive typing, and Levitate ability. Gyaradosite allows Toxapex to stop a new scope of threats that would give Latiasite sets problems such as Lunala and Giratina-O with its new Poison / Dark typing and harass bulky Magic Bounce users like Sablenite Mandibuzz and Blissey with its Mold Breaker Toxic and Toxic Spikes. However, poor offensive stats make Toxapex passive and susceptible to being set up on by powerful cleaners such as Zygarde, Kartana, Terrakion, and Darkrai.
[SET]
name: Gyaradosite Toxic Spikes
move 1: Toxic
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic Spikes / Haze
move 4: Payback / Haze
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Mold Breaker + Toxic is an exceptionally lethal combination that allows Toxapex to freely spread poison, particularly against teams that rely on bulky Sablenite users such as Mandibuzz, Blissey, and Mew to bounce back entry hazards and status. Recover is Toxapex's primary means of remaining healthy to wall Pokemon like Diancite Tapu Lele and Giratina-O. Gyaradosite Toxapex's Mold Breaker Toxic Spikes cannot be blocked by Magic Bounce, allowing it to spread this devastating hazard with ease and effectively apply immense pressure to opposing teams. Payback is Toxapex's newly acquired STAB attack that allows it to mercilessly pressure Lunala with a 4x super effective attack. The doubled Base Power lets it hit surprisingly hard on turns Toxapex moves last in conjunction with the boosted Attack stat and can work alongside Toxic to continuously chip down Giratina, Blissey, Mew, and Tapu Lele. Haze is a secondary option that allows Toxapex to annoy Calm Mind Magearna and Darkrai without Taunt or Substitute and fully wall Nasty Plot Sablenite Mew. However, forgoing any attacking moves adds to Toxapex's already problematic passivity and can prove to be highly unwieldy, and foregoing Toxic Spikes on Gyaradosite Toxapex erases the primary support it offers teams, making it a very specific niche.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment with a Careful nature allows Toxapex to wall Lunala and Mew, check Diancite Tapu Lele, and easily switch in on support Arceus formes outside of Arceus-Ground to begin setting Toxic Spikes. 0 Speed IVs with a Sassy nature is an alternative option that helps maximize Payback’s power by allowing Toxapex to move second more often, notably against Cameruptite Magearna under Trick Room, also preventing it from setting up by using Haze. Even when utilizing Toxic Spikes, Regenerator is the preferred ability over Merciless, as pivoting with Regenerator is an essential component to keeping Toxapex healthy if Mega Evolving isn't immediately necessary. Gyaradosite grants Toxapex the phenomenal Poison / Dark typing, which gives it an immunity to Psychic and a resistance to Lunala's Ghost-type STAB attack. Other benefits include a sizable increase in bulk and the acquisition of the Mold Breaker ability. This ability flips Toxapex from a Pokemon that was previously constantly harassed by bulky Sablenite users like Blissey, Mandibuzz, and Mew to a menace for these exact Pokemon with its Mold Breaker Toxic and Toxic Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
Gyaradosite Toxapex is a Pokemon that thrives off of passivity in teams. It should switch into Pokemon such as Lunala, Blissey, Mandibuzz, Sablenite or Manectite Mew, and support Arceus-Water, -Fairy, and -Rock to sponge special hits and begin stacking Toxic Spikes. This Pokemon possesses a highly desirable role as a special wall that can heavily punish teams that allow it to come in and spread such a crippling entry hazard freely. If there is a Magic Bounce user or a Psychic- or Ghost-type present, do not hesitate to Mega Evolve Toxapex to allow it to put up hazards without fear and wall threats that its regular Water / Poison typing can't handle. However, if possible, attempt to preserve the Regenerator ability, as it is incredibly useful for maintaining Toxapex's health and providing it with additional turns to cripple teams with Toxic and Toxic Spikes instead of being forced to rely on Recover to remain healthy. Although Toxapex can contribute quite a bit to a variety of teams with its exceptional Toxic Spikes setting ability and, ironically, a means of absorbing opposing Toxic Spikes through its rare Poison typing, its only ways of immediately hitting opposing Pokemon are Toxic and Payback. Powerful wallbreakers like Terrakion, Zygarde, Kartana, and Substitute Darkrai can exploit Toxapex's poor offensive presence by setting up and blowing past it. Therefore, it is important to avoid staying in and passively chipping away at these Pokemon while they grow increasingly more dangerous and to switch into an appropriate countermeasure instead.
Team Options
========
The primary beneficiary of Toxapex's Toxic Spikes is Zygarde. This Pokemon punishes Poison- and Steel-type Pokemon attempting to evade being poisoned by Toxic Spikes with its powerful STAB Thousand Arrows, and in turn, Toxic Spikes apply immense pressure to many of Zygarde's common checks such as Sablenite Buzzwole, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Fairy, and Manectite Mew. Sablenite Buzzwole is a fantastic defensive partner that can help prevent Toxapex's passivity from being a liability by checking some of the most powerful wallbreakers in Darkrai, Terrakion, Lucarionite Zygarde, Swords Dance Primal Groudon, and Kartana while benefiting from Toxapex's Psychic immunity and general ability to sponge hits from Lunala, Tapu Lele, and Arceus-Fairy. Mew is a Pokemon that appreciates Toxapex's ability to take on Lunala, Giratina-O, Blissey, and Mandibuzz. In return, Manectite Mew is capable of tackling Zygarde and Swords Dance Primal Groudon.
[SET]
name: Latiasite Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Haze
move 4: Toxic
item: Latiasite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Toxapex's only attack and will usually be used with the hope of a burn in mind, particularly against Steel-type Pokemon and Magic Bounce users that aren’t affected by Toxic. Recover is Toxapex's primary recovery option, allowing it to remain healthy even after losing the Regenerator ability after it Mega Evolves. Haze allows Toxapex to neutralize boosts and effectively wall Pokemon like Swords Dance Primal Groudon without Smack Down, Calm Mind Arceus-Ground, Golisopod, and Necrozma-DM. Toxic is utilized to cripple and continuously wear down Pokemon Toxapex wishes to check as well as Pokemon that wish to switch in on it and force it out. Toxic Spikes can also be utilized to help alleviate Toxapex's passivity and offer additional support to its teammates by pressuring and wearing down grounded Pokemon. However, they can easily be blocked by Magic Bounce users, particularly if Toxapex is Mega Evolved, as it won’t be able to absorb any potentially reflected Toxic Spikes. The absence of Toxic also puts Toxapex in the unwieldy situation of being completely walled by Red Orb Pokemon and adds to Toxapex's passivity problem by leaving it unable to properly pressure Defoggers without resorting to fishing for Scald burns.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature allows Toxapex to switch in and sponge physical hits from Primal Groudon, Entei, Buzzwole, Mamoswine, and Genesect. Regenerator grants Toxapex vastly improved longevity before it Mega Evolves. Latiasite bolster's Toxapex's formidable defenses, significantly increases Scald's power, and eliminates a prior weakness to Ground-type attacks by granting it an immunity with Levitate.
Usage Tips
========
It is often essential to refrain from Mega Evolving Toxapex too early to preserve its Regenerator ability as long as possible, allowing it to switch in more freely. However, if Toxapex is the only answer to Pokemon like Primal Groudon, Mamoswine, and Arceus-Ground, do not hesitate to Mega Evolve early-game to allow it to freely switch in on Ground-type attacks without fear. When using this Pokemon, always be wary of Smack Down Primal Groudon. This Pokemon leverages this coverage option specifically for Pokemon like Latiasite Toxapex, as it negates its Levitate ability and allows Primal Groudon to severely cripple or knock it out the following turn. Besides knowing when to Mega Evolve, Toxapex is very easy to use. Simply switch it into a Pokemon it walls and take advantage of the opportunity to spread burns with Scald or poison foes with Toxic or Toxic Spikes. However, Toxapex is very passive, as Scald is its only means of attacking. This STAB attack can harass opposing Pokemon with the potential burn chance, but it will rarely promise immediate damage, so one must understand when Toxapex can properly wall an opposing Pokemon and when it must switch out to avoid being overwhelmed by foes such as Magearna and Darkrai. It is important to keep Toxapex healthy particularly after it Mega Evolves, as it will rarely be outspeeding anything, and without the additional health gain from pivoting with Regenerator, it will be very difficult to bring it back in if it is severely weakened. Haze should be used to immediately halt setup and is usually utilized alongside Recover and Toxic to keep Toxapex healthy and wear down setup Pokemon.
Team Options
========
Because Toxapex is such a phenomenal switch-in to Altarianite Extreme Speed users such as Entei and Genesect, Pokemon that are revenge killed by these Pokemon such as Terrakion and Darkrai appreciate Toxapex's support. Terrakion also appreciates Toxapex's ability to wall one of its few counters in Arceus-Fairy. Magearna is a partner that benefits from Toxapex's ability to wall Entei, Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Mamoswine and generally sponge Fire- and Ground-type attacks. In return, Magearna is capable of checking a wide range of Pokemon that threaten and annoy Toxapex such as Tapu Lele, Darkrai, Mandibuzz, and, if running Latiasite, Ultra Necrozma. Primal Groudon appreciates Toxapex's ability to wall opposing Primal Groudon, Mamoswine, Arceus-Ground, Golisopod, and the occasional Blue Orb Buzzwole. In turn, Toxapex benefits from Primal Groudon's ability to switch in and force out Electric-types like Zeraora and Raikou as well as annoying Steel-types like Magearna that don't allow Toxapex to freely spread Toxic poison and force it to passively fish for burns with Scald instead. Arceus-Ground is another Ground-type that enjoys Toxapex's ability to sponge Water- and Ice-type attacks and Toxic that would otherwise cripple it and in return checks Electric-types, Magearna, and Zygarde. Ho-Oh is a fellow Regenerator user that can stall out bulkier passive builds through repeatedly pivoting with Toxapex and effectively wasting PP while remaining healthy. It can also help check Pokemon that threaten Toxapex such as Kartana, Tapu Lele, Azelf, and Darkrai. In return, Ho-Oh greatly appreciates Toxapex's ability to sponge Water-type attacks from the likes of Golisopod, Manaphy without Psychic, and Arceus-Water and serve as a check for Pokemon like Arceus-Rock and Stone Edge Entei.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxapex has no applicable or worthwhile other options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Zygarde**: Zygarde's STAB Thousand Arrows is problematic to both Toxapex sets, as it is a Ground-type attack that ignores Levitate and allows Zygarde to easily muscle past Toxapex. Lucarionite Zygarde is the primary menace wielding this attack, but Toxapex can't even switch into Altarianite Zygarde on a turn it Dragon Dances for fear of being 2HKOed.
**Red Orb Powerhouses**: Red Orb users like Azelf, Victini, Raikou, and Taunt or Substitute Darkrai are immune to Latiasite Toxapex's only means of attacking and can easily muscle past it with Electric- or Psychic-type coverage. Taunt or Substitute Red Orb Darkrai is able to shut down both Toxapex movesets entirely and set up on them to win one-on-one.
**Psychic-type Coverage**: Psychic-types such as Tapu Lele, Azelf, Lunala, Ultra Necrozma, and the occasional Psychic-wielding Mew can easily sponge any hits Latiasite Toxapex wishes to throw at them and in turn threaten it out with powerful super effective Psychic-type attacks. However, Tapu Lele, Lunala, Mew, and special Ultra Necrozma struggle horribly against Gyaradosite Toxapex.
**Sablenite Users**: Sablenite Zapdos, Magearna, Blissey, and Mew are able to switch into anything Latiasite Toxapex wishes to do and easily stall it out by wearing it down with Electric- or Psychic-type coverage and Seismic Toss. Toxapex can attempt to cripple these Pokemon with a Scald burn, but this will do little to hinder their ability to counter it. Although they effectively wall out Latiasite Toxapex, Sablenite walls are practically helpless against Gyaradosite Toxapex.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Magearna, Aggronite Mew, Metagross, Necrozma-DM, and Cobalion prevent Toxapex from spreading Toxic poison and once again force it into the position of fishing for burns with Scald or using a 50-Base Power Payback. Although Latiasite Toxapex can hinder physical Steel-types more effectively than Gyaradosite with a Scald burn and can actually manage Double Dance Necrozma-DM, these Pokemon can still pressure Toxapex by setting up with Swords Dance.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Primal Groudon, the aforementioned Zygarde, Arceus-Ground, Mamoswine, Gliscor, and Excadrill all exploit Gyaradosite Toxapex's sole Ground weakness and can set up, set Stealth Rock, or remove Toxic Spikes in Excadrill and Gliscor's case. Although Latiasite Toxapex can wall Arceus-Ground, Mamoswine, Gliscor, Mega Evolved Excadrill, and usually Primal Groudon, these Pokemon still force it to Mega Evolve to acquire Levitate and thus discard its useful Regenerator ability. Smack Down Primal Groudon overwhelms both Toxapex sets with ease.
**Offensive Cleaners**: Kartana and Terrakion can exploit Gyaradosite Toxapex's weak STAB Payback and use it as setup fodder to begin tearing through teams.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Andyboy, 257571]]
- Quality checked by: [[In The Hills, 324242], [xavgb, 231402], [Quantum Tesseract, 297239]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Rabia, 336073]]
Toxapex is a unique and highly diverse wall that can utilize its regular ability Regenerator to serve as a far more efficient pivot, scout attacks, and remain healthy without using Recover constantly. This Pokemon can support teams as both a physical and special tank through the use of Latiasite and Gyaradosite, and it is a good fit for a wide variety of builds due to its ability to check a wide range of threats with each of its Mega Stones and spread status with Scald, Toxic, and Toxic Spikes. Latiasite variants check Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Entei, Arceus-Ground, and Golisopod with their fantastic bulk, great defensive typing, and Levitate ability. Gyaradosite allows Toxapex to stop a new scope of threats that would give Latiasite sets problems such as Lunala and Giratina-O with its new Poison / Dark typing and harass bulky Magic Bounce users like Sablenite Mandibuzz and Blissey with its Mold Breaker Toxic and Toxic Spikes. However, poor offensive stats make Toxapex passive and susceptible to being set up on by powerful cleaners such as Zygarde, Kartana, Terrakion, and Darkrai.
[SET]
name: Gyaradosite Toxic Spikes
move 1: Toxic
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic Spikes / Haze
move 4: Payback / Haze
item: Gyaradosite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Mold Breaker + Toxic is an exceptionally lethal combination that allows Toxapex to freely spread poison, particularly against teams that rely on bulky Sablenite users such as Mandibuzz, Blissey, and Mew to bounce back entry hazards and status. Recover is Toxapex's primary means of remaining healthy to wall Pokemon like Diancite Tapu Lele and Giratina-O. Gyaradosite Toxapex's Mold Breaker Toxic Spikes cannot be blocked by Magic Bounce, allowing it to spread this devastating hazard with ease and effectively apply immense pressure to opposing teams. Payback is Toxapex's newly acquired STAB attack that allows it to mercilessly pressure Lunala with a 4x super effective attack. The doubled Base Power lets it hit surprisingly hard on turns Toxapex moves last in conjunction with the boosted Attack stat and can work alongside Toxic to continuously chip down Giratina, Blissey, Mew, and Tapu Lele. Haze is a secondary option that allows Toxapex to annoy Calm Mind Magearna and Darkrai without Taunt or Substitute and fully wall Nasty Plot Sablenite Mew. However, forgoing any attacking moves adds to Toxapex's already problematic passivity and can prove to be highly unwieldy, and foregoing Toxic Spikes on Gyaradosite Toxapex erases the primary support it offers teams, making it a very specific niche.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment with a Careful nature allows Toxapex to wall Lunala and Mew, check Diancite Tapu Lele, and easily switch in on support Arceus formes outside of Arceus-Ground to begin setting Toxic Spikes. 0 Speed IVs with a Sassy nature is an alternative option that helps maximize Payback’s power by allowing Toxapex to move second more often, notably against Cameruptite Magearna under Trick Room, also preventing it from setting up by using Haze. Even when utilizing Toxic Spikes, Regenerator is the preferred ability over Merciless, as pivoting with Regenerator is an essential component to keeping Toxapex healthy if Mega Evolving isn't immediately necessary. Gyaradosite grants Toxapex the phenomenal Poison / Dark typing, which gives it an immunity to Psychic and a resistance to Lunala's Ghost-type STAB attack. Other benefits include a sizable increase in bulk and the acquisition of the Mold Breaker ability. This ability flips Toxapex from a Pokemon that was previously constantly harassed by bulky Sablenite users like Blissey, Mandibuzz, and Mew to a menace for these exact Pokemon with its Mold Breaker Toxic and Toxic Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
Gyaradosite Toxapex is a Pokemon that thrives off of passivity in teams. It should switch into Pokemon such as Lunala, Blissey, Mandibuzz, Sablenite or Manectite Mew, and support Arceus-Water, -Fairy, and -Rock to sponge special hits and begin stacking Toxic Spikes. This Pokemon possesses a highly desirable role as a special wall that can heavily punish teams that allow it to come in and spread such a crippling entry hazard freely. If there is a Magic Bounce user or a Psychic- or Ghost-type present, do not hesitate to Mega Evolve Toxapex to allow it to put up hazards without fear and wall threats that its regular Water / Poison typing can't handle. However, if possible, attempt to preserve the Regenerator ability, as it is incredibly useful for maintaining Toxapex's health and providing it with additional turns to cripple teams with Toxic and Toxic Spikes instead of being forced to rely on Recover to remain healthy. Although Toxapex can contribute quite a bit to a variety of teams with its exceptional Toxic Spikes setting ability and, ironically, a means of absorbing opposing Toxic Spikes through its rare Poison typing, its only ways of immediately hitting opposing Pokemon are Toxic and Payback. Powerful wallbreakers like Terrakion, Zygarde, Kartana, and Substitute Darkrai can exploit Toxapex's poor offensive presence by setting up and blowing past it. Therefore, it is important to avoid staying in and passively chipping away at these Pokemon while they grow increasingly more dangerous and to switch into an appropriate countermeasure instead.
Team Options
========
The primary beneficiary of Toxapex's Toxic Spikes is Zygarde. This Pokemon punishes Poison- and Steel-type Pokemon attempting to evade being poisoned by Toxic Spikes with its powerful STAB Thousand Arrows, and in turn, Toxic Spikes apply immense pressure to many of Zygarde's common checks such as Sablenite Buzzwole, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Fairy, and Manectite Mew. Sablenite Buzzwole is a fantastic defensive partner that can help prevent Toxapex's passivity from being a liability by checking some of the most powerful wallbreakers in Darkrai, Terrakion, Lucarionite Zygarde, Swords Dance Primal Groudon, and Kartana while benefiting from Toxapex's Psychic immunity and general ability to sponge hits from Lunala, Tapu Lele, and Arceus-Fairy. Mew is a Pokemon that appreciates Toxapex's ability to take on Lunala, Giratina-O, Blissey, and Mandibuzz. In return, Manectite Mew is capable of tackling Zygarde and Swords Dance Primal Groudon.
[SET]
name: Latiasite Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Haze
move 4: Toxic
item: Latiasite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Toxapex's only attack and will usually be used with the hope of a burn in mind, particularly against Steel-type Pokemon and Magic Bounce users that aren’t affected by Toxic. Recover is Toxapex's primary recovery option, allowing it to remain healthy even after losing the Regenerator ability after it Mega Evolves. Haze allows Toxapex to neutralize boosts and effectively wall Pokemon like Swords Dance Primal Groudon without Smack Down, Calm Mind Arceus-Ground, Golisopod, and Necrozma-DM. Toxic is utilized to cripple and continuously wear down Pokemon Toxapex wishes to check as well as Pokemon that wish to switch in on it and force it out. Toxic Spikes can also be utilized to help alleviate Toxapex's passivity and offer additional support to its teammates by pressuring and wearing down grounded Pokemon. However, they can easily be blocked by Magic Bounce users, particularly if Toxapex is Mega Evolved, as it won’t be able to absorb any potentially reflected Toxic Spikes. The absence of Toxic also puts Toxapex in the unwieldy situation of being completely walled by Red Orb Pokemon and adds to Toxapex's passivity problem by leaving it unable to properly pressure Defoggers without resorting to fishing for Scald burns.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature allows Toxapex to switch in and sponge physical hits from Primal Groudon, Entei, Buzzwole, Mamoswine, and Genesect. Regenerator grants Toxapex vastly improved longevity before it Mega Evolves. Latiasite bolster's Toxapex's formidable defenses, significantly increases Scald's power, and eliminates a prior weakness to Ground-type attacks by granting it an immunity with Levitate.
Usage Tips
========
It is often essential to refrain from Mega Evolving Toxapex too early to preserve its Regenerator ability as long as possible, allowing it to switch in more freely. However, if Toxapex is the only answer to Pokemon like Primal Groudon, Mamoswine, and Arceus-Ground, do not hesitate to Mega Evolve early-game to allow it to freely switch in on Ground-type attacks without fear. When using this Pokemon, always be wary of Smack Down Primal Groudon. This Pokemon leverages this coverage option specifically for Pokemon like Latiasite Toxapex, as it negates its Levitate ability and allows Primal Groudon to severely cripple or knock it out the following turn. Besides knowing when to Mega Evolve, Toxapex is very easy to use. Simply switch it into a Pokemon it walls and take advantage of the opportunity to spread burns with Scald or poison foes with Toxic or Toxic Spikes. However, Toxapex is very passive, as Scald is its only means of attacking. This STAB attack can harass opposing Pokemon with the potential burn chance, but it will rarely promise immediate damage, so one must understand when Toxapex can properly wall an opposing Pokemon and when it must switch out to avoid being overwhelmed by foes such as Magearna and Darkrai. It is important to keep Toxapex healthy particularly after it Mega Evolves, as it will rarely be outspeeding anything, and without the additional health gain from pivoting with Regenerator, it will be very difficult to bring it back in if it is severely weakened. Haze should be used to immediately halt setup and is usually utilized alongside Recover and Toxic to keep Toxapex healthy and wear down setup Pokemon.
Team Options
========
Because Toxapex is such a phenomenal switch-in to Altarianite Extreme Speed users such as Entei and Genesect, Pokemon that are revenge killed by these Pokemon such as Terrakion and Darkrai appreciate Toxapex's support. Terrakion also appreciates Toxapex's ability to wall one of its few counters in Arceus-Fairy. Magearna is a partner that benefits from Toxapex's ability to wall Entei, Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Mamoswine and generally sponge Fire- and Ground-type attacks. In return, Magearna is capable of checking a wide range of Pokemon that threaten and annoy Toxapex such as Tapu Lele, Darkrai, Mandibuzz, and, if running Latiasite, Ultra Necrozma. Primal Groudon appreciates Toxapex's ability to wall opposing Primal Groudon, Mamoswine, Arceus-Ground, Golisopod, and the occasional Blue Orb Buzzwole. In turn, Toxapex benefits from Primal Groudon's ability to switch in and force out Electric-types like Zeraora and Raikou as well as annoying Steel-types like Magearna that don't allow Toxapex to freely spread Toxic poison and force it to passively fish for burns with Scald instead. Arceus-Ground is another Ground-type that enjoys Toxapex's ability to sponge Water- and Ice-type attacks and Toxic that would otherwise cripple it and in return checks Electric-types, Magearna, and Zygarde. Ho-Oh is a fellow Regenerator user that can stall out bulkier passive builds through repeatedly pivoting with Toxapex and effectively wasting PP while remaining healthy. It can also help check Pokemon that threaten Toxapex such as Kartana, Tapu Lele, Azelf, and Darkrai. In return, Ho-Oh greatly appreciates Toxapex's ability to sponge Water-type attacks from the likes of Golisopod, Manaphy without Psychic, and Arceus-Water and serve as a check for Pokemon like Arceus-Rock and Stone Edge Entei.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxapex has no applicable or worthwhile other options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Zygarde**: Zygarde's STAB Thousand Arrows is problematic to both Toxapex sets, as it is a Ground-type attack that ignores Levitate and allows Zygarde to easily muscle past Toxapex. Lucarionite Zygarde is the primary menace wielding this attack, but Toxapex can't even switch into Altarianite Zygarde on a turn it Dragon Dances for fear of being 2HKOed.
**Red Orb Powerhouses**: Red Orb users like Azelf, Victini, Raikou, and Taunt or Substitute Darkrai are immune to Latiasite Toxapex's only means of attacking and can easily muscle past it with Electric- or Psychic-type coverage. Taunt or Substitute Red Orb Darkrai is able to shut down both Toxapex movesets entirely and set up on them to win one-on-one.
**Psychic-type Coverage**: Psychic-types such as Tapu Lele, Azelf, Lunala, Ultra Necrozma, and the occasional Psychic-wielding Mew can easily sponge any hits Latiasite Toxapex wishes to throw at them and in turn threaten it out with powerful super effective Psychic-type attacks. However, Tapu Lele, Lunala, Mew, and special Ultra Necrozma struggle horribly against Gyaradosite Toxapex.
**Sablenite Users**: Sablenite Zapdos, Magearna, Blissey, and Mew are able to switch into anything Latiasite Toxapex wishes to do and easily stall it out by wearing it down with Electric- or Psychic-type coverage and Seismic Toss. Toxapex can attempt to cripple these Pokemon with a Scald burn, but this will do little to hinder their ability to counter it. Although they effectively wall out Latiasite Toxapex, Sablenite walls are practically helpless against Gyaradosite Toxapex.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Magearna, Aggronite Mew, Metagross, Necrozma-DM, and Cobalion prevent Toxapex from spreading Toxic poison and once again force it into the position of fishing for burns with Scald or using a 50-Base Power Payback. Although Latiasite Toxapex can hinder physical Steel-types more effectively than Gyaradosite with a Scald burn and can actually manage Double Dance Necrozma-DM, these Pokemon can still pressure Toxapex by setting up with Swords Dance.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Primal Groudon, the aforementioned Zygarde, Arceus-Ground, Mamoswine, Gliscor, and Excadrill all exploit Gyaradosite Toxapex's sole Ground weakness and can set up, set Stealth Rock, or remove Toxic Spikes in Excadrill and Gliscor's case. Although Latiasite Toxapex can wall Arceus-Ground, Mamoswine, Gliscor, Mega Evolved Excadrill, and usually Primal Groudon, these Pokemon still force it to Mega Evolve to acquire Levitate and thus discard its useful Regenerator ability. Smack Down Primal Groudon overwhelms both Toxapex sets with ease.
**Offensive Cleaners**: Kartana and Terrakion can exploit Gyaradosite Toxapex's weak STAB Payback and use it as setup fodder to begin tearing through teams.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Andyboy, 257571]]
- Quality checked by: [[In The Hills, 324242], [xavgb, 231402], [Quantum Tesseract, 297239]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Rabia, 336073]]
Last edited by a moderator:
